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Moldova and its
European path:
The European Union
Enlargement Package

The Republic of Moldova is making determined strides toward joining the European Union. Following its candidacy status and the official opening of negotiations, Moldova has entered a decisive stage in its European integration journey. Explore Moldova’s European path and the key steps toward EU membership.

From candidate status to official negotiations

In just two years since submitting its EU membership application, Moldova achieved candidate status and officially opened accession negotiations. The Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg in June 2024 marked this pivotal moment, acknowledging Moldova’s significant progress in aligning with European values. The conditions for EU membership will be defined through these negotiations.

What are the main steps of EU accession, and where does Moldova stand?

  • The country submits an application to the Council of the European Union.
  • The European Commission reviews the application and issues an opinion. 
  • EU member states unanimously decide to grant candidate status.
  • Once initial conditions are met, member states decide to officially open negotiations.
  • The European Commission proposes a negotiation framework, which must be approved by member states before formal negotiations begin.
  • The country negotiates by clusters and chapters while preparing to implement EU legislation and standards.
  • Upon completing negotiations, the Commission issues an Opinion on the country’s readiness for membership.
  • EU member states unanimously agree to conclude negotiations, with the European Parliament providing its consent.
  • All member states and the candidate country sign and ratify the accession treaty, finalizing the process.
Moldova has already progressed through the stages from submitting its application to officially opening negotiations, demonstrating a firm commitment to joining the European Union.

Accession negotiations: What progress has Moldova made?

Moldova’s negotiations with the EU are organised into 33 chapters and two criteria (economic and political, the latter encompassing public administration reform and the functioning of democratic institutions), grouped into six thematic clusters, covering areas from fundamental values and the internal market to external relations. This structured process ensures that every aspect of integration is systematically addressed. Moldova’s journey begins with fundamental reforms, such as strengthening the rule of law and combating corruption. Progress in these areas will determine the overall pace of its EU integration.

According to the latest report, between June 2023 and September 2024, Moldova made significant strides in aligning with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, implementing key reforms. These include judicial reform, intensified efforts to reduce oligarchic influence, and investigations into illegal financial flows and electoral bribery.

The report recommends further strengthening institutional reforms and continuing measures to accelerate economic convergence and integration into the EU single market. These efforts will be critical for opening thematic negotiations and ensuring the success of the accession process.

Clusters of negotiating chapters

Explore the negotiation chapters and the progress Moldova has achieved in each area.

I – Fundamentals

Fundamentals


Level of readiness

Public procurement

Chapter 5
20/50

Statistics


Chapter 18
20/50

Judiciary & fundamental rights

Chapter 23
20/50

Justice, Freedom & Security

Chapter 24
20/50

Financial control

Chapter 32
10/50

Public administration reform

Criteria
20/50

Functioning of democratic institutions

Criteria
*The Commission’s report does not indicate progress for this chapter.

Economic criteria


Criteria
15/50
II – Internal Market

Internal market



Level of readiness

Free movement of goods

Chapter 1
20/50

Free movement of workers

Chapter 2
10/50

Right of establishment & freedom to provide services

Chapter 3
20/50

Free movement of capital

Chapter 4
20/50

Company law


Chapter 6
15/50

Intellectual property law

Chapter 7
20/50

Competition policy

Chapter 8
20/50

Financial services

Chapter 9
20/50

Consumer & health protection

Chapter 28
20/50
III – Competitiveness & inclusive growth

Competitiveness & inclusive growth


Level of readiness

Digital transformation & media

Chapter 10
20/50

Taxation


Chapter 16
20/50

Economic Taxation & monetary policy

Chapter 17
20/50

Social policy & employment

Chapter 19
20/50

Enterprise & industrial policy

Chapter 20
20/50

Science & research

Chapter 25
30/50

Education & culture

Chapter 26
25/50

Customs union

Chapter 29
30/50
IV – Green agenda & sustainable connectivity

Green agenda & sustainable connectivity


Level of readiness

Transport policy

Chapter 14
20/50

Energy


Chapter 15
30/50

Trans – European networks

Chapter 21
20/50

Enviroment & climate change

Chapter 27
15/50
V – Resources, agriculture & cohesion

Resources, agriculture & cohesion


Level of readiness

Agriculture & rural development

Chapter 11
10/50

Food safety, veterinary & phytosanitary policy

Chapter 12
20/50

Fisheries & aquaculture

Chapter 13
10/50

Regional policy & coordination of structural instruments

Chapter 22
20/50

Financial & budgetary provisions

Chapter 33
10/50
VI – External relations

External relations



Level of readiness

External relations


Chapter 30
30/50

Foreign, security & defence policy

Chapter 31
35/50

Negotiations for each cluster are opened as a whole, starting with the one dedicated to fundamental values. This is also the last cluster to close, and the progress made here determines the overall pace of the negotiations.

What lies ahead for Moldova?

The European Commission’s 2024 evaluation report confirms Moldova’s progress on its path to EU accession but highlights the need for further reforms. The screening process of the EU acquis is advancing steadily, and thematic negotiations are expected to begin in the spring of 2025. The next phase will focus on implementing reforms and achieving economic convergence.

Moldova Growth Plan

Moldova obtained EU candidate status in June 2022 and officially began accession negotiations in June 2024.  Signed in 2014, the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) remain the foundation of Moldova’s economic and political integration with the EU, strengthening trade relations and covering the entire territory, including the Transnistrian region.  The EU is Moldova’s largest trading partner, accounting for 53.7% of the country’s total trade volume in 2023, with reduced tariffs for agricultural products introduced in July 2022. Since 2021, the EU has provided over €2.2 billion in support, targeting economic reforms, the energy sector, refugee crisis management, and security initiatives. Under the EU Economic and Investment Plan, €1.6 billion has been mobilised for strategic projects, including infrastructure and energy development.

Moldova Growth Plan

The funds will be allocated for the 2025–2027 period, laying the groundwork for the European Union’s next multiannual budget.

What are the key milestones in EU-Moldova relations?

Moldova obtained EU candidate status in June 2022 and officially began accession negotiations in June 2024. 

Signed in 2014, the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) remain the foundation of Moldova’s economic and political integration with the EU, strengthening trade relations and covering the entire territory, including the Transnistrian region. 

The EU is Moldova’s largest trading partner, accounting for 53.7% of the country’s total trade volume in 2023, with reduced tariffs for agricultural products introduced in July 2022.

Since 2021, the EU has provided over €2.2 billion in support, targeting economic reforms, the energy sector, refugee crisis management, and security initiatives. Under the EU Economic and Investment Plan, €1.6 billion has been mobilised for strategic projects, including infrastructure and energy development.

Find out more about the EU support

Moldovan citizens have enjoyed visa-free travel to the Schengen area since 2014.  Moldova is the first non-EU country to join the Connecting Europe Facility, which provides funding for road modernisation. This instrument has a total budget of €26 billion allocated for all EU member states.  

In early 2024, Moldova joined the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU platform for disaster risk management.    Moldova also signed the first-ever EU Security and Defense Partnership, with support for Moldova’s Armed Forces through the European Peace Facility amounting to €137 million.  

Moldova participates in key EU programmes such as Fiscalis, LIFE, EU4Health, Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, Erasmus+, and the European Solidarity Corps. Moldovan organizations and citizens benefit from education, infrastructure, and social innovation programs, while Moldova plays an active role in the EU’s Danube Macro-Regional Strategy and several Interreg programs. Moldova is part of key EU programs such as Fiscalis, LIFE, EU4Health, Horizon Europe, Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), Digital Europe, and Employment and Social Innovation. Moldovan organizations and citizens are also eligible for initiatives like Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. Additionally, Moldova participates in several Interreg programs and is a member of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region.

EU Enlargement Package

Each year, the European Commission presents the Enlargement Package – a key document analysing progress, challenges, and priorities for candidate and potential candidate countries. In 2023, the Commission recommended opening accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova, and the 2024 Enlargement Package provides a detailed assessment and recommendations for strengthening essential reforms.

In 2004, the European Union marked a historic enlargement, welcoming 10 new member states. Twenty years later, the 2024 Enlargement Package reaffirms the EU’s commitment to integration, covering another 10 countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, and Turkey.

Want to learn more about Moldova’s progress?

Accession to the European Union is a complex process, but each step brings the Republic of Moldova closer to integration into the European family. Stay updated with the latest developments and discover how each reform contributes to Moldova’s European future.

See the European Commission’s Report on Moldova 2024